Evaluation of Distress and Risk Perception Associated with COVID-19 in Vulnerable Groups

Preventive behavior developed by the population is essential in the face of the risk of coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, preventive measures will depend on the risk perception acquired. In addition, lockdown can directly affect mental health, provoking distress. Distress could affect risk...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-12, Vol.17 (24), p.9207
Main Authors: Orte, Carmen, Sánchez-Prieto, Lidia, Domínguez, David Caldevilla, Barrientos-Báez, Almudena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 - psychology
Female
Health risks
Humans
Male
Mental health
Older people
Pandemics
Perception
Perceptions
Psychological Distress
Risk Assessment
Risk perception
Spain
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vulnerable Populations
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Summary:Preventive behavior developed by the population is essential in the face of the risk of coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, preventive measures will depend on the risk perception acquired. In addition, lockdown can directly affect mental health, provoking distress. Distress could affect risk perception. This study's objective was to analyze whether experiencing distress had an influence on risk perception with respect to vulnerable groups. The sample consisted of 806 participants. The study was conducted during the first week of lockdown declared by the Spanish Government. The Brief Symptom Inventory BSI-18 and a risk perception questionnaire about vulnerable groups was administered. The study revealed the appearance of distress in 9.6% of the sample (85.7% women). Experiencing distress influenced risk perception. This study's main contribution is the link between experiencing distress and the risk perception with respect to vulnerable groups. Risk perception is relevant since it can influence how the population faces the pandemic. Transmission of accurate information could help to minimize the effect of certain cognitive biases that affect risk perception and foster preventive behavior.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17249207